Wolves slipped to an eighth Premier League defeat of the season against Fulham – and Vitor Pereira’s time as manager surely has to be up.
Following a defeat to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, there was actually some faint optimism that Wanderers could do something against a Fulham side that were on a four-game losing run.
There was genuine fight and spirit shown in the second-half against the Blues.
But when Vitor Pereira’s starting XI was announced ahead of kick-off, that optimism for many dissipated, with the manager benching both Joao Gomes and Andre.
A pitiful performance followed down in the capital, and Wolves fans again chanted against the manager and the owners.
After last weekend’s defeat to Burnley, it was reported that Wolves were backing Pereira.
A few days later it was suggested that Jeff Shi was ‘convinced’ that the situation under Pereira is different to Gary O’Neil a year ago.
But following yet another wretched performance and result, Fosun’s next move should be crystal clear.
Vitor Pereira’s position as Wolves manager is untenable
It is remarkable to think we have reached this point following the highs of when Pereira first came to Wolves.
The Portuguese replaced Gary O’Neil midway through last season and breathed new life into the club. Not only did he get points on the board, but he restored harmony and built a genuinely brilliant connection with the fans, with whom he would often go for pints with following victories.
It really felt like Wolves could go places under this manager, and comparisons between Pereira and Nuno Espirito Santo were even made.
But it’s all gone pear-shaped, and the mood now around Wolves is arguably the worst it’s been for years – potentially even worse than this time a year ago when O’Neil was also struggling. And sadly, Pereira has been at the forefront of the collapse.
Simply put, Pereira’s position has now become untenable at Wolves.
Everyone knows the problems run way deeper than just the manager at Wolves. Fosun are ultimately responsible for this mess, with their lack of proper investment and risky recruitment model.
But Pereira has not helped himself at all this season.
His strange starting XI selections and questionable in-game decisions have led to Wolves sitting rock bottom after 10 Premier League games, with just two points on the board and zero wins. The team have conceded the most goals, and have scored the joint-fewest.
His latest baffling call came against Fulham, as Pereira left both Joao Gomes and Andre out of his starting XI. Why are Wolves’ two best players being left out at a time of dire need?
Pereira has also gone between two systems this season, despite recruiting players to play 3-4-3/3-5-2.
The shift to a back four looked to prompt some improvement at first. But it doesn’t really matter what system Wolves are playing now, as the result is the same regardless.
Wolves are being easily beaten, and Pereira has no answers, having been throwing things at the wall and hoping something will stick. There is no identity, no leadership, and no quality.
And crucially, he has now lost a lot of the fans, many of whom chanted for his sacking after the defeat to Fulham.
And those scenes in front of the South Bank after the recent defeat to Burnley showed that the writing is on the wall.
Pereira may get Chelsea game with international break coming
Wolves fans won’t hold their breath on Pereira being sacked just yet, given the noise about internal feeling about Pereira over the last week.
Fosun obviously want him to succeed after they gave him a new contract in September, and have felt that things have been improving.
Wolves have Chelsea next in the Premier League, and it would be no surprise if Pereira did actually take that game.
That’s because the next international break is after that game, which might be a more opportune moment for a change of manager. And that should happen, even if Pereira somehow beats Chelsea.
His position is untenable now. That is extremely difficult to write after all the good he did before this season. But sadly there can no longer be any defence of the man who is overseeing this team, seeing how bad it has become.